Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has said he does not intend to withdraw his candidacy for NATO Secretary General, despite the strong support in the alliance for outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This was reported by Sky news, according to UNN.
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Mr. Yohannis officially announced his intention to run for NATO leader last month. He also said he did not plan to seek another job at the European level.
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Jens Stoltenberg's term in office is due to end on October 1 after a decade.
His mandate was extended four times, twice for the standard four-year term and twice for one year in 2022 and 2023, to keep NATO in good hands during the war in Ukraine.
The appointment process is unofficial and takes place behind closed doors, so it is difficult for outsiders to know who will get the position.
Mr. Rutte is backed by the four NATO members that make up the "quartet" - France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States - as well as several other countries.
The Netherlands also supported Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who was previously considered a potential candidate.
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte lacks only 4 votes to become new NATO Secretary General03.04.24, 15:47